Modular Ship Security Bulwark with Overhang Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional security barriers for ships, such as electrified nets and razor wire, have been ineffective in deterring piracy and pose environmental risks due to material degradation and disposal at sea.
Innovation Solution
A two-part cylindrical security bulwark with a planar rear wall and skirt, designed to prevent boarding by conventional ladders or grappling hooks, featuring a bulbous head section and flexible connectors for easy installation, made from resilient plastics to minimize marine life impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If razor wire or barbed wire is used as a security barrier, then the deterrent effect against piracy is improved, but the material quickly rusts and becomes difficult and dangerous to handle, requiring disposal at sea which risks marine life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal (razor wire) to high-density polyethylene plastic, which does not rust and can be safely disposed of in the environment. This material substitution maintains security effectiveness while eliminating the harmful disposal impact on marine life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable security barrier made of inexpensive plastic that can be easily discarded in the environment without harm. The bulbous head design ensures that when the barrier reaches the water, it floats and does not endanger marine life, making safe disposal feasible and environmentally responsible.
2Reliability
If conventional roofing ladders are used for boarding, then pirates can easily board ships, but adding complex security barriers interferes with normal ship operations
Solution Approach 1:
The security barrier is divided into modular sections with standardized connectors, allowing easy installation and removal without permanent modifications to the ship. The segmented design enables quick deployment and retrieval, minimizing interference with normal ship operations while maintaining continuous security coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The security barrier is designed to be dynamically deployable and removable. The flexible connectors and modular structure allow the barrier to be quickly installed when needed and easily removed when not required, adapting to the ship's operational needs without permanent obstruction.
3Strength
If security barriers are made from metal materials like razor wire, then the structural strength is improved, but the materials rust quickly in the marine environment becoming difficult and dangerous to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses high-density polyethylene plastic as a composite material that combines the necessary structural strength for security applications with corrosion resistance. This plastic material does not rust like metal, significantly extending the service life of the security barrier in the harsh marine environment.
4Reliability
If traditional security barriers are installed, then piracy deterrence is improved, but the installation and removal processes are complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier is segmented into modular sections with simple connectors that enable rapid assembly and disassembly. This modular design allows the security barrier to be quickly installed and removed without requiring complex tools or procedures, significantly reducing the time investment required.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The security barrier (1) is formed of a plurality of modular security bulwarks (2) each adapted for removable attachment to the peripheral edges of a ship such as, but not limited to, a ship's rail. Each security bulwark consists of a skirt section (3) which lies adjacent to and substantially parallel with a ship's wall or railing a head section (4) and a rear wall (10). The head section (4) has a generally smooth outer surface that slopes downwardly and outwardly from its uppermost point (5) so as to form an overhang (6) which projects outwardly from the ship's railing with a cross- sectional depth greater than the reach of a convention roofing ladder. The security barrier (1) is able to deter unauthorised access to the ship by preventing the use of conventional roofing ladders and the overhang in combination with the smooth surface of the security bulwark make it difficult for an individual to climb over even with grappling hooks.